A California road trip is pure cinema. The golden coastline, the slow shift from city to countryside, the way the air changes as you climb north. This three-day route begins in Los Angeles and winds its way through Montecito, Los Alamos, Santa Maria, and into wine country, landing you in Napa and Sonoma just in time for a well-earned glass (or two).
It’s all about the food and wine here, so book your restaurant tables and tasting appointments in advance, especially for the smaller, sought-after spots. But don’t overschedule yourself; some of the best moments happen in the in-between.
Whether you’re fueling up for a road trip or simply starting your day on a sweet note, Gjusta in Venice is where you want to be. For our purposes, order a smoked fish plate, plus a coffee and a few pastries to go, before hopping on the PCH to head North up the coast. Your first stop is the Montecito Country Mart. Charming, elegant, with a little bit of something for everyone, we like to think of it as a sort of microcosm of the town itself. Your lunch options include excellent wood-fired pizza at Bettina or elevated Mexican at Alma Fonda Fina (the mole enchiladas are the stuff of local legend). For coffee #2—make it a cold brew from Cafe Luxxe.
From Montecito, skip Santa Barbara proper and continue to Los Alamos instead. Not nearly as flashy as Los Olivos, this sweet, unassuming town has a single main drag that stretches no more than a dozen blocks, making it the Central Coast’s best-kept secret. For dinner, book ahead at Bell’s for a prix fixe menu of approachable French-Californian cuisine (if ever you find yourself here for lunch, get the egg salad sandwich—trust us). Then there’s Pico: A little bit easier to get into and just as consistently good for cozy, local food in the company of a few free-range chickens. Spend the night at Skyview, a 1950s roadside motel turned boutique retreat, perched on a hill with vineyard views and a bonfire-friendly vibe.
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Few things are enticing enough to get you out of Skyview’s cozy, warm rooms. One of them is the egg-in-a-jar breakfast from Bob’s Well Bread. In the interest of not picking favorites, we should mention that everything on the menu features the baked-on-premises breads, croissants, muffins, and more. From here, continue north to Presqu’ile Winery in Santa Maria. Known for its elegant pinots and striking modern architecture, it’s a perfect late-morning tasting stop.
Afterward, hit the road for a longer stretch up to Napa Valley. Arrive at Auberge’s Stanly Ranch, a luxe, ranch-style resort tucked into the southern end of the valley, where you’d be hard-pressed to find a spot without a postcard-perfect view of vineyards and open skies. After taking a beat in your room and maybe a dip in the pool, head into town for dinner at Torc. It’s a lively, inventive spot for fine dining that doesn't feel at all stuffy, followed by a nightcap at Cadet Wine & Beer Bar, a local favorite with a stellar natural wine list.
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Ease into the day with breakfast at Model Bakery (whatever you do, don’t skip the English muffin), then make your way across to Sonoma to Scribe Winery’s Hacienda. Here, you can settle in for a beautiful tasting experience, which comes with enough small plates to more than constitute a lunch.
Check in to MacArthur Place for a relaxed, design-forward stay or the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn if you’re craving a longer rest with hot springs and spa time. End the night with a laid-back dinner at El Molino Central (the tamales are worth the hype) or Buck’s in Glen Ellen for wood-fired everything and a true local feel.
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